Oikos! My spirtual family

So my life has been pretty much planned out by me, Marc Shivers, pretty much making decisions and fitting God into "my" plans for my life. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! So what's wrong with this picture? Well Pastor Tom has tasked our small Group with stepping out and asking about our oikos "what kinds of breads do people in your oikos seek so they can satisfy their spiritual hunger." Suprisingly, I did not know my oikos well enough to answer. I have a vague idea, based on their actions, but the fact remains, I have not been interested enough in their soul to notice. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! There's still something wrong with this picture. God get me on your road, and I'll fit my life into your plans for a change.

YO! Jeremy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWiMfQydZ_g

FOR MY SMALL GROUP - A Gift from GOD!

Today people have a hard time believing the message of Christ. They accept that Jesus is the son of God, but they lack the experience, the personal experience! People don't think they need the hope that Jesus offers.

So when we talk about the body of Christ (the church body), we are the backbone, we are here, seeking Jesus, living salvation, studying the word, experiencing a personal relationship with Christ. So when the non-church goers and the unsaved need help, we are there, we are ready.

This is our mission! To be prepared when God brings us an extended mission. So if you feel we are not doing enough, that is satan and guilt. The mere fact that you are here, growing in his word, you are being prepared for your extended mission.

So lets pray as a group that God will bring us an extended mission, a mission that will put us face to face with non-believers. Lets be obedient and look where Christ is leading us as a group. Lets not look so much at what I can do by myself, but what we can do together. Lets pray in earnest as a group that we can be prepared for what Christ needs done and lets take the step of faith, whether we think we are prepared or not, to accept a MISSION FROM GOD!

THIS IS WHAT I MEAN BY TOUGH!

Gifts

I've been praying for the gift of faith, you know that faith that is God-given. For decades, I've been relying on the "my own" faith in God to get me by. Well I just did get by, now that my God-given gift of faith is in me, I know now that Christ is in me and always will be no matter what. When I'm weak and not feeling very spiritual, God is there actually carrying me through my despair. God gave me a word for our Bible Study Group, how exciting! Another wonderful gift that I didn't ask for, God is Good! I can't wait to share with em.

'TIS THE SEASON

We are learning in the book of John why Jesus would perform the miracles he did. As humans we get so involved in what we want at the moment, that we tend to forget about furthering the kingdom. As I go through the day, I will use my job to further the kingdom. I'm not sure how I'll do that yet, but I'll let God show me the right time. As a real estate agent, I speak to many people, I think I'll answer my phone with Merry Christmas. Since Happy Holidays is politically correct, people will know I'm a Christian by this greeting. I wonder how I can further his kingdom, next week, after Christmas.

Its nice to drop off gifts, and bring presents for the needy, after all, 'tis the season. How will these things further his kingdom, we need follow up. In 2008 eight we should follow up with these folks we have helped during this Christmas season and ensure their hearts are with Jesus. We need to know if these folks will need help again next year.

THE SECRET?

I watched the movie of the secret today and I really enjoyed how the makers of the film described how "the secret works". The film explained the use of positive energy in today's world to achieve all that you can imagine.

I couldn't help chuckling under my breath as the film makers scientifically explained the "truth". Yes they tried to hide the miracles of Jesus with scientific data and expert opinions from MD and NMD, DO's, philosophers, but.....they had known Christians in the film too that you could kind of tell that they just wanted to bust out and say Jesus knew "the secret", in fact Jesus is the secret, and always has been and always will be.

Our study of John at HDC and the message of Jesus is eerily similar to the message of of this film, in fact as I watched, things would be said that I had just studied in John. The film gives us practical ways to focus our "energy" or in my case the Holy Spirit, along with the truths to receive all you ask for. Yes this film did a good job of explaining the secret. Guess what Jesus is no secret. He is in the hearts of every christian on the planet, and the the real TRUTH, the real ANSWER to life's joy.

The film talked about the entire universe being energy, energy that is being transformed, then released, well guess what, the film explained scientifically a power far greater than we are and in everything and everywhere, always has been there and always will be, undeniable proof of God's existence. If you didn't believe in God before watching this film, you surely would by the end.

This film is a must see!